Integrated Conversion of Polyesters, CO <sub>2</sub> , and Glycerol via Ethylene Oxide‐Mediated Tandem Process
Abstract
Abstract The co‐conversion of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), CO 2 , and renewable carbon resources offers a sustainable strategy for reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions, but remains challenging. Here, we develop a one‐pot cycloaddition–transesterification–glycolysis (CTG) tandem process to efficiently convert PET, CO 2 , and glycerol into bis‐hydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET) and glycerol carbonate, achieving yields of 92% and 99%, respectively. The process begins with the cycloaddition of ethylene oxide and CO 2 in an ionic liquid, followed by transesterification with glycerol to produce glycerol carbonate and ethylene glycol. The in situ‐generated ethylene glycol participates in PET glycolysis to yield BHET catalyzed by zinc acetate. Kinetic studies, isotope labelling, and theoretical calculations reveal that ethylene oxide serves two functions: (i) swelling the PET matrix to enhance mass transfer and (ii) providing ethylene glycol. The synchronized kinetics of cycloaddition, transesterification, and glycolysis enable ethylene oxide to play both roles effectively, significantly accelerating PET depolymerization at mild temperatures.
Article Details
Authors (13)
Cong Luo
Ziyu Cen
Weilong Wen
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
Tianrui Bi
Zhiye Ma
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
Jun Ma
Junfeng Xiang
Center for Physicochemical Analysis Measurement Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
Qinglei Meng
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry
Huizhen Liu
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , , ,
Jianling Zhang
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry
Zhimin Liu
Longfei Lin
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
Buxing Han
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , , ,